This Post Grad Life: The Truth About Doing What Makes You Happy

August 24, 2011 2:00 pm     Posted in Advice, Featured Left, Reality  Brittany - University of Saint Thomas g+ page

In my recent post about wasted time and happiness, I expressed my irresponsible tendency to start doing what I want in life.


By Brittany

I’m here to tell you how it’s been going so far (just so you know it’s worth it). Instead of making you wait until all the way to the end of this post, I’m going to preach now. My lovely and selfish decision to do something that makes me happy has been…drum roll…SUCH a relief.  I was so afraid before I jumped the gun on getting my life moving the way I wanted to. But being afraid isn’t going to rob your happiness once it’s over. It’s going to water it. Water it like a bed of flowers.

And you will bloom.

Can you tell I’m happier already?

It’s been two weeks since I’ve turned my life around, quit my job and discovered a new career. My own mother approached me recently with that rosy look on her face that indicated she spotted something about my inner vibes. “Brittany, you are happier. I can tell by your skin. By just looking at you. I’m sorry, but you weren’t looking too good before. You looked…hungover.”

Thanks Mom. But seriously, thanks. If I needed one person to confirm my new-found happiness, my mother would be the right chick. She can tell if I’m feeling unhappy through an email. The woman is telepathic. Regardless of what my mother tells me, I’m happy doing new things. And if I would have known how flighty and gay I feel now, I would have changed things with my life months before. That’s why I’m here to point some internet fingers your way.

If you are ever and I mean ever feeling terribly wrong about something, fix it. I can’t preach it more. Happiness will come your way if you allow it. But you have to allow it. And please, ignore these five scary myths that creep into your mind when you think about changing your little world for the better (i.e. quitting your job and jumping on a cute little life whim):

Myth:  Your family will hate you because you’re a failure.

Truth: Your family will still love you very much. My parent’s biggest fear is my unhappiness. I swear, as much as you deny it–your family will support any venture as long as you’re happy and you’re not a stripper.

Myth: Your friends will judge you for not taking the same path as they are.

Truth: If your friends are judging you for being a ballsy lady cat in finding what makes your heart flutter, they are not your friends. Repeat after me: “They are not your friends.”

Myth: You are ruining your entire future for dropping everything you’ve previously worked for, will never be successful and will never make any money.

Truth: You will open up your future for a fruitful one, you will be extremely successful for doing something you’re truly passionate about and money suddenly won’t matter.

Take a dive lovely ladies. I will stand as the rookie post grad science experiment. Don’t listen to those little screechy, negative voices on your shoulder telling you otherwise. Listen to the truth in your heart. Deep sigh, I’m kind of a gross Hallmark card when I’m happy.

18 Comments on "This Post Grad Life: The Truth About Doing What Makes You Happy"

  1. Tatiana says:
    Wed, 24th Aug 20114:45 pm 

    I think my problem is I don't know WHAT it is that will make me that happy. I can't pinpoint it. How did you figure it out?

  2. Claire says:
    Wed, 24th Aug 20118:32 pm 

    I've realized the same thing recently! I recently graduated and moved back home to the country but it's been severely depressing. I got an internship in a field I'm interested in and potentially could get a job out of it but I realized I can't keep living here if I want to be happy. I've decided even if I can have a good job and make money it isn't worth it if it's mentally unhealthy to remain in my area. Happiness is so much more important than money but so many people think it's better to suffer through anything in order to get ahead in the job world. As far as I can tell the point of life is to enjoy it and if you aren't enjoying it then take a step in a new direction! I don't know yet how enjoyable the adventure of moving will be but I feel so much more positive now that I've decided to take the leap.

  3. Eliz says:
    Wed, 24th Aug 201110:17 pm 

    Brittany I always love your posts, but this one was exactly what I needed to hear right now!! Thankss!

  4. Emme says:
    Thu, 25th Aug 201112:54 am 

    As someone who is going against the grain and scared shitless about it I love this article. Every time I have a "what the hell am I doing?!?!" moment I always tell myself that in the long run I will be a happier, more fulfilled person. It may take longer to be what others deem "financially successful" but I sure as hell won't cringe every Monday when I head off to work. Good for you! My favorite words of inspiration (especially in post-grad land of fog) "you are exactly where you are supposed to be".

  5. Liz says:
    Thu, 25th Aug 20112:01 am 

    Try it. Seriously.
    For example, if you think you might be into science and want to do research, find a non-profit that might need additional hands in the lab for their basic maintenance. Be willing to do the grunt work before you get to try the fun stuff; this is especially important because you will immediately know how much you want something by how long you are willing to be bored before getting it. I can guarantee you that for anything you have an interest in, there is some inexpensive way for you to try it and see if it really makes you happy.
    Repeat until you fall in love :)

  6. Sadie says:
    Fri, 26th Aug 20112:09 am 

    I chose to study theatre in college instead of something "practical" that would provide me with a stable job with an income to support my lifestyle. Though my parents are amazingly supportive of me, I continually doubt that I've made the choice that will provide me with the life I want in the future. But when I think about my other options, nothing even comes close to how passionate and excited I am about acting. I might not end up exactly where I want to be, but I am so proud of myself for being brave enough to DO something about what I want instead of sitting behind a desk wishing. Just because I have a degree in theatre doesn't mean I'm not capable of doing anything else! I will be fine, and so will you. And you'll be ten times happier knowing at the end of the day that you did everything you could to do what you wanted to do rather than just surrendering to the cultural definition of "success."
    Cheers, Brittany– to the girls who live their dreams!

  7. Jennifer says:
    Mon, 29th Aug 201112:06 pm 

    Hi there,
    It's great to know that you took a huge step towards your own happiness. How long did you take between getting your first job to quitting it and then now finally on your way to discovering what truly makes you happy?

  8. artistsgottaart says:
    Mon, 29th Aug 201110:10 pm 

    The only way to truly be happy in your life is to follow the path that you make, because who knows you better than yourself?
    I think the hardest part of getting out there and doing what you want is ignoring the voice in your head that compares everything about your life to your friends and peers. I couldn't get over the fact that straight out of college, a guy I knew was gainfully employed and was making major money. I, on the other hand, was over-thinking everything, trying to find out where I fit in "the real world," and was miserable because I wasn't making anything near what he was. I regretted my major (art and writing) because it didn't apply to all the jobs advertised and who was hiring.

    I learned (3 jobs later) that what I chose in college was what I love best. I chose it specifically because I didn't want a normal 9-5 job in a soulless office. I didn't want to work under someone else forever. In between two of those jobs I launched my freelance career by managing and painting 2 murals, something I had NEVER done before. I took the job despite being completely scared, but saw it as a HUGE opportunity, and I blew everyone out of the water, including myself. I proved to everyone that I could take on something professional and on a large scale. I was recommissioned for another mural and began custom portrait work, which I'm continuing to this day. I've been working on making my business stronger, and got a boost of confidence this summer after I left my job and moved to a new city. I just have to keep the ball rolling and be very aware of the amazing feeling I get when I create and when my client sees the result.

  9. Stephanie says:
    Tue, 30th Aug 20115:12 pm 

    I never comment on posts, I tend to just lurk, but THANK YOU so much for this! I saw this and worried that it was going to say something like "I should've been smarter". Thank you for validating my recent choice!

  10. lynn says:
    Wed, 31st Aug 201112:30 pm 

    I'm proud of you!!
    Most the time we are just too scared to take a chance, no matter how happy we know it will make us feel. When we finally take baby steps towards what we want, it feels so good we don't see a reason to stop until we have achieved what we wanted!!

  11. Jess says:
    Fri, 2nd Sep 201111:23 pm 

    wow…I feel a strong connection all all of your posts…truly. I am a writer and I know the path I am choosing can be a tough one but…when it's in your heart. You have to at least try. You just have to.

  12. Ria.lee says:
    Sat, 3rd Sep 20116:40 pm 

    Your artices are brilliant! They are so honest and show what its like to be trapped in post-grad limbo! Im going through the same things atm and it feels good to know others are too!! xxx

  13. Aishia says:
    Sat, 3rd Sep 20117:05 pm 

    I don't know what I want yet, even though I am in a sophomore in college. I chose a major that seemed like it would make a decent amount of money (computer science). I hear everyone about following your passions, but I really don't have one. Everyone around me (the adults) preach about working hard and going to work and making that money, but I really don't feel that pressed about it. But I don't want to regret anything either. I know that if you don't follow your dreams, you'll never know, but what about the average life?

  14. inderpreet says:
    Tue, 6th Sep 20116:33 am 

    now i have clear vision about my decisions…really..doubts are nearly removed..thanx brittany

  15. @doitallbehappy says:
    Wed, 14th Sep 20116:46 am 

    What a great post!

    It doesn't have to be career changing things that will benefit from your advice – we can find that same feeling from doing much smaller things that we want to do too. It could be a few minutes of peace and quiet, going to pick blackberries to make some jam or starting to plan a trip to see the Northern Lights.

    If it is something you want to do, however small, doing it will show up in your level of happiness and people like your Mum will see it in your face.

  16. Marielle says:
    Wed, 20th Feb 20137:32 am 

    I'm currently struggling with this at the moment: I'm a go-getter by nature, someone constantly in search of endless happiness, however recently, the scare of money has overcome me. I recently dropped everything I had every worked for to decrease the distance between my Love and I. I moved to Germany. It worked! I now search for a means to stay here and two options open up: One that kills me however provides me plenty of money to save for the future. It's a job in a restaurant making burger buns, however it's somehow a lucrative business, providing plenty of drama and secrecy in only the first week. The other provides me a breath of fresh air, being a Nanny to a 6 year old. Even waking up at 5am to get her ready for school, I smile. I'm happy. However it would provide me a tenth of what I could make elsewhere… I'll take the plunge and trust what makes me happy, however…. It's not easy when you're so scared and might I add, financially insecure.

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